“Butte is known as the Richest Hill on Earth, a moniker originally attributed to the rich copper ore found in the mountains surrounding our community at the turn of the previous century,” says Maria Pochervina, director of the Butte CVB. “Copper was especially important as it coincided with the invention of electricity by Thomas Edison, and Butte lays claim to being instrumental in lighting a nation.”
As mining expanded, the city in the Rocky Mountains of Southwest Montana became a popular spot for Western European immigrants who sought work in the mines. “The influx of immigrants and the mining industry gives us rich ethnic and industrial history, with over 20 attractions centered around those parts of our story,” says Pochervina.
Travelers can discover this heritage at the World Museum of Mining. The attraction includes a re-creation of the 1890s mining town—with 15 intact structures and 35 reconstructed buildings—and has dozens of exhibits showcasing mining equipment that was used from the 1860s to 1970s. Two underground mine tours are offered, with both including firsthand narrative from workers who spent countless hours below the surface, working the veins of the Orphan Girl Mine.
Two other ways to learn more about the city’s early days are via trolley tours and on guided walks from Old Butte Historical Adventures. Using replicas of the original cars from Butte’s electric trolley system, two-hour excursions cover many aspects of life during the early years and detail the magnificent architecture found in the historical downtown. Old Butte’s walking tours provide a look at the colorful places—such as speakeasies and brothels—and characters that influenced the multiethnic city.
When asked about her favorite local gem, Pochervina cites the Our Lady of the Rockies statue.
“It sits above the Continental Divide and is available to hikers, and in the summer months via tour buses,” she says. “This statue is in the likeness of the Blessed Mother and is dedicated to women and mothers. The story of Our Lady is one of love, faith, commitment, construction, volunteerism, and finding resources when there are none.”
To learn more, reach out to Pochervina or go to buttecvb.com.
Top photo: Underground mining tours in Butte
Photo by World Museum of Mining
Support for Courier articles provided by:
Alaska Railroad Corporation
American Heritage Railroads
Carbon County Visitors Council
Cody Country Visitors & Convention Council
Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort
History Colorado
Visit Colorado Springs
